The HP StorageWorks 8/24 SAN switch range in size from 16 to 24 ports, functioning as standalone core switches or as lower-cost edge switches in large core-to-edge tiered storage networks. As a result, it can meet the needs of small and medium-size organizations as well as very large enterprises. With Ports on Demand upgrades, organizations can minimize their upfront investment while maintaining their ability to scale in low-cost "pay-as-you-grow" increments in the future.¤¤With a design that provides full 8 Gbit/sec non-blocking, full-duplex performance on every port, HP 8/24 SAN Switch meets the higher performance levels required by consolidated, virtualized environments. With easy-to-use management tools and wizards, and full line rate performance on every port, organizations can streamline implementation and ongoing management in a wide range of environments.¤¤The 8/24 SAN switches also provide unprecedented investment protection. Auto-sensing ports that support backward compatibility with 1, 2, 4, and 8 Gbit/sec devices significantly reduce deployment complexity and costs, while providing compatibility with installed devices. Organizations that do not require 8 Gbit/sec interfaces can populate the new switches with 4 Gbit/sec. SFPs, while preserving their ability to easily upgrade to 8 Gbit/sec. SFPs in the future.¤¤The 8/24 SAN Switch with 24 enabled ports may be deployed as a full-fabric switch or in Access Gateway mode, which provides connectivity into any SAN (the default mode setting is a switch). Access Gateway mode utilizes NPIV switch standards to present Fibered Channel connections as logical devices to SAN fabrics.
